UNICEF Canada’s Mission

To mobilize and empower Canadians to invest in the positive transformation of every child’s future.

Are you looking to use your knowledge, skills and talents to make a 
direct impact on the lives of children? 

Consider joining UNICEF Canada – one of Canada’s most respected & 
historic charities – and be part of a high-impact, mission-driven team working across Canada and globally to create a better world for children.

UNICEF Canada is seeking to recruit a talented & experienced colleague in 
the role of Senior Manager, Planned Giving.

Position Details

Position Title:Senior Manager, Planned Giving
Employment Type:Permanent, Full-time
Reports to:Director, Development (Major & Planned Giving)
Direct Reports:None
Salary Range:$80,000 to $95,000 annually with benefits and 3 weeks paid vacation
Work Location:Toronto
Work Environment:UNICEF Canada currently operates under a Flexible-Hybrid model that requires team members to attend the office at least 2 days/week.

Position Description

A vital member of a dynamic and ambitious Development team, the Senior Manager, Planned Giving is responsible for leading the growth, development and execution of an integrated and long-range cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategy for current and prospective planned giving donors across Canada.

With support from the Director, Development (Major & Planned Giving), the incumbent will lead the strategic planning, budgeting and execution of the planned giving program at UNICEF Canada. As a senior leader on the National Development Team, this role will oversee the implementation of marketing, acquisition, stewardship and relationship management of planned giving donors and prospects to achieve goals in support of UNICEF Canada’s Joint Strategic Plan (JSP).

This role will work cross-functionally with leads on the Major Gifts, Individual Giving and Marketing Teams, while building philanthropic relationships with individuals to facilitate the confirmation and realization of planned gifts. This role also involves leading the development of UNICEF Canada’s wealth advisor strategy and will champion asset-based giving while supporting the development of tools and resources for relationship managers.  The candidate should expect to spend time on the phone and at in person meetings with current and prospective donors and should be willing to travel.

The candidate will be a self-directed and self-motivated senior leader with proven, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with people from all walks of life and age ranges. The incumbent must have an excellent proven track record of donor relationship building, cultivation and solicitation of planned gifts.

This is an exciting and important role that will deepen our engagement with legacy donors and planned giving prospects while uncovering untapped revenue potential to further UNICEF’s impact for children globally.

Key Accountabilities

Revenue Generation & Relationship Stewardship (60%)

  • Lead the development and execution of a planned giving stewardship plan for confirmed bequest donors, while strategically engaging planned giving prospects to generate higher conversion to committed planned giving donors. 
  • Manage a portfolio of 300 to 400 prospects and donors aiming for one third in each cultivation, solicitation and stewardship at any given time. 
  • Conduct face-to-face visits, phone and video calls, meetings, mailings, emails aimed at building relationships and deepening engagement with planned giving donors and prospects across Canada. 
  • Implement solicitation strategies and tactics to achieve the highest level of support from donors across Canada, through confirmed estate gifts and current or deferred gifts. 
  • Manage all planned giving inquiries through the timely response to all requests for more information received by email, mail, online, or through direct mail, telemarketing, surveys etc. 
  • Work closely with the Digital Marketing and Individual Giving teams to promote planned giving, identify new prospects and to grow current and deferred planned giving revenue through various acquisition activities and channels. 
  • Lead the execution and follow-up of Planned Giving stewardship and strategic engagement events for planned donors, prospects, financial advisors and other gift planning professionals.
  • Keep current on all planned giving vehicles, pertaining to laws and new rulings and build effective relationships with professional advisors in the financial and legal sectors. 
  • Effectively communicate the importance of legacy giving to UNICEF Canada’s vision and values with stakeholders through storytelling of donor impact.

Strategic Planning and Operations (25%)

  • In alignment with Development Team program goals, drive annual budgeting and timely revenue forecasting of the Planned Giving program. 
  • Support the design and implementation of donor surveys and other campaigns and initiatives to identify quality planned giving leads and prospects with support from the Legacy Private Sector Partnerships (PFP) team. 
  • Oversee and implement a prospect follow strategy for planned giving inquiries and bequest intenders.
  • Lead the development of new strategies for the ongoing stewardship and recognition of planned giving donors and the recognition of realized estate gifts. 
  • Collaborate with national and regional Development Team members and other teams in developing funding proposals, gift agreements, and provide support on complex estate and planned gifts. 
  • Lead the development of a Wealth Advisor Strategy to position UNICEF Canada as a charity of choice for complex and asset-based transformative gift opportunities.
  • Develop tools and initiatives to engage professional advisors to increase their understanding of UNICEF, encourage their partnership in sharing and/or developing expertise about planned giving vehicles, promoting asset-based giving and encouraging their support and advocacy for UNICEF.
  • Establish and implement standard operating procedures and best practices for planned giving as a subject matter exert on the Development Team.
  • Actively work to increase visibility through CAGP and wealth advisor networks and with other planned giving professionals within the charitable sector.

Estate Administration (15%)

  • Provide support and expertise in the management and administration of estate files to guarantee the receipt of gift expectancies in a timely matter.
  • Liaise and coordinate with Estate executors, lawyers, legal administrators, and co-beneficiaries as required to support the liquidation and release of assets as required. 
  • Work with other members of the team to ensure the maintenance of the CRM database for assigned prospects and donors including updating CRM, tracking actions and implementing a moves management system. 
  • Monitor planned giving gifts reports and ensure that gifts are captured in the CRM and coded correctly. 
  • Maintain best practices and the implementation of UNICEF Canada’s Planned Giving program in compliance with CRA Guidelines and in line with UNICEF Canada’s Gift Acceptance Policy. 
  • Other duties as required.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • University education or equivalent. 
  • Minimum of 7 years of fundraising experience in planned giving or major gifts. 
  • Proven exceptional donor relations experience and solid understanding of best practices in cultivation, closing gifts, gift acknowledgement, recognition and stewardship.
  • Expertise and knowledge of gift planning vehicles, estate administration and asset-based giving processes and other current/deferred complex and blended giving options. 
  • Exceptional active listening skills and excellent attention to detail. 
  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written, with the ability to effectively persuade and inspire others to support UNICEF Canada’s work.  
  • Ability to work independently, communicate at all levels with confidence and exercise sound judgment.
  • Demonstrate tact and maintain confidentiality in relation to donors and the general public. 
  • Proven ability to develop annual plans, set priorities, use planning and analytical skills, complete work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.  
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and multitask.  
  • Strong interpersonal skills and team player.  
  • Experience in use of Raiser’s Edge or other CRM software and general proficiency in the use of MS Office software.  
  • Ability to travel from time to time to meet with planned giving donors and prospects and for events.
  • Active membership and/or involvement in CAGP considered an asset.
  • Valid driver’s licence is required.
  • Fluency in French is highly desirable.

An Employer of Choice: What We Offer

UNICEF Canada strongly supports workplace wellness and offers the following employee benefits:

  • Extended Health and Dental Benefits with Health Care Spending Account
  • Life & AD&D Insurance
  • Short Term Disability (STD)
  • Long Terms Disability (LTD)
  • Employer contributions (5%) to Group Pension Plan
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • 10 paid sick days & 2 personal days
  • Maternity and Parental leave top-up
  • 3 weeks of annual vacation leave (vacation time increases with time served)
  • One additional vacation day on the anniversary of each year of service, up to a max. of 30 days
  • 9 to 11 “staff appreciation days” – an additional series of pre-set days off, set & given annually to further extend long weekends
  • Discounted rate for a GoodLife membership
  • Access to leadership development opportunities and both local & global stretch assignment opportunities
  • Internal mentoring & DEI programming
  • A chance to do meaningful, high-impact, & life-changing work on a committed and motivated team!

Our Commitment to Inclusive Workplaces & Recruitment

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter as one document to careers@unicef.ca by Friday, November 15, 2024. Please include your salary expectations in your cover email and reference Senior Manager, Planned Giving in the subject heading.

UNICEF Canada sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Consistent with our Child Safeguarding Policy, all successful candidates must receive clearance by a police background check (including a vulnerable sector screen) a police background check (including a vulnerable sector screen).

About UNICEF & UNICEF Canada

UNICEF is the world’s farthest-reaching humanitarian organization for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we work to help children survive, defend their rights, keep them protected, healthy and educated, and give them a fair chance to fulfill their potential.

UNICEF Canada is one of 33 National Committees located in countries around the world. Our team exists to fundraise for UNICEF’s highest priorities, and to work neutrally with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well-being of children and youth.